Concrete Patio Cleaning in Metairie, LA

Concrete is porous. That means it absorbs water, traps dirt, and holds onto organic material. In Metairie, the climate makes that worse. Humidity stays high, rainstorms are frequent, and many yards have shade from trees or nearby fencing that prevents the surface from drying quickly.

When concrete stays damp, algae and mildew have time to spread. Add in pollen, leaf debris, and runoff from gutters, and you get a patio that looks permanently stained even if it was cleaned not too long ago. The “green slick” problem is especially common in low spots where water puddles or where sprinklers spray the same strip of concrete day after day.

• High humidity keeps concrete damp for long periods
• Storm runoff carries dirt and stains across the surface
• Shade slows drying and encourages algae growth
• Puddling in low spots leads to constant discoloration
• Leaves and acorns create tannin stains as they break down

If your patio has green patches, a dark film, or black speckles, you’re usually dealing with organic growth, not just dust. The challenge is that algae and mildew don’t sit only on the surface. They settle into tiny pores and micro cracks. That’s why a quick rinse often looks good for a day, then the stains “come back” as the patio dries.

The most reliable way to remove algae and mildew is to use a cleaner that breaks down organic growth, allow proper dwell time, and then rinse thoroughly to remove residue. The goal isn’t just to make it look brighter today. It’s to reduce what’s feeding regrowth so the patio stays safer and cleaner longer.

After cleaning, homeowners often notice a big difference in traction. That slick feel after rain tends to come from algae biofilm. Removing it can make the patio safer for kids, pets, and anyone walking outside in sandals or bare feet.

In Metairie, the best results usually come from a cleaner-first approach rather than relying on pressure alone. High pressure can remove grime, but it can also leave stripes, etch the surface, or push water deeper into cracks if used incorrectly. For patios with heavy algae or mildew, a treatment step is often what makes the difference.

Many Metairie patios do best with a hybrid method: treat algae and mildew first, rinse carefully, then follow with a controlled pressure wash where needed for embedded grime. This approach helps prevent the “clean today, green again next week” cycle.

Metairie patios often deal with more than algae. If your patio sits under trees or near heavy landscaping, you may see brown staining from leaves, acorns, and plant debris. These are tannin stains, and they can look like tea-colored blotches that spread after rain. They’re especially noticeable on lighter concrete.

Rust stains are another common issue. Metal patio furniture, grill components, and planters can leave orange-brown marks, particularly when water sits underneath them. Rust can soak into porous concrete, so the earlier it’s treated, the better the results tend to be.

You may also notice “tide lines” or dark streaks where water repeatedly flows across the concrete. Downspouts that dump onto the patio, clogged gutters that overflow, or roof runoff can leave dirty tracks that make the slab look unevenly stained. Cleaning helps, but solving the runoff source is what keeps the lines from returning quickly.

• Tannin stains from leaves and tree debris can require targeted cleaning
• Rust stains often come from wet metal furniture or planters
• Runoff streaks usually point to gutter or drainage issues
• Oil stains near grills may need degreasing before rinsing

Most homeowners in Metairie do well with a deep clean once or twice per year. If your patio stays shaded, has poor drainage, or turns slick quickly after rain, twice per year is often more realistic. Spring cleaning helps remove winter grime and early organic growth, while a late-summer or fall cleaning can reduce algae buildup going into the wetter months.

The biggest factor isn’t just how dirty the patio looks. It’s how wet it stays. Patios that dry quickly and get sun can stay clean longer. Patios that stay damp, shaded, or constantly hit by sprinklers are the ones that need attention more often.

Simple fixes can extend the time between cleanings: redirect sprinklers away from the slab, improve drainage where water puddles, and consider extending downspouts so they discharge away from the patio instead of across it.

Pricing depends on patio size, stain severity, and access. In Metairie, patios with heavy algae or mildew often require stronger pre-treatment and a more thorough rinse process to slow regrowth. If the slab has multiple stain types (organic growth, rust, tannins, and grease), the cleaning approach may take additional steps to get an even result.

The fastest way to get accurate pricing is to request a quote based on your patio size and main issue. That ensures you get a realistic estimate for your specific conditions, not a generic number.